Olathe KS news

1942-2015
Karen Elizabeth Mendenhall Showalter was born in Lafayette, IN, June 8th 1942 to Wilma (Bosworth) and Earl Mendenhall. After her family moved around many times they settled in Kansas City, KS, where she graduated from Rosedale High in 1960. Shortly after graduation she married Jerry, July 1, 1960. They made their home in Olathe, KS where they raised their 3 children, Kelly, Jeep and Jeff. She and Jerry spent their retirement years on their 5 acre farm in Garnett, KS.

Karen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandma, sister, aunt and friend. Her hobbies included, painting, crafting & floral arrangements. She was a long time member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #700, serving in several officer positions. The past several years she enjoyed her membership in “The Friends of the Prairie Spirit Rail Trail” where she helped in the organizing, designing and implementing of their yearly scarecrows on parade, haunted house for Halloween, and float for the Christmas Lights Parade. You could easily find Karen at any of her grandkids sporting events or dance recitals.